Plan your festive season with our pick of the best Christmas events in Devon. Share your photos with us on the socials.
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City Centre Christmas Lights Switch On
The festive season in Plymouth officially begins with the spectacular Christmas Lights Switch-On in the City Centre, illuminating the streets with thousands of twinkling lights.
Thursday 13 November -
Late Night Christmas Shopping
Enjoy extended shopping hours in Plymouth, with many shops open until 9pm every Thursday before Christmas. Perfect for finding those special gifts in a festive atmosphere.
Thursdays from 13 November to 18 December -
Barbican Christmas Lights Switch On
Join the festive celebration at the Barbican where the Christmas lights switch-on will illuminate the waterfront with holiday spirit, creating a magical maritime atmosphere.
Saturday 15 November -
Plymouth Christmas Market
Head to the Piazza in the city centre and browse to your heart's content! With up to 60 beautifully decorated wooden chalets, this seasonal favourite will be bursting with artisan crafts, bespoke gifts, delicious treats and street food favourites from around the world.
27 November to 21 December -
Dick Whittington Pantomime
Panto legend Shane Richie returns to Plymouth to star in the pantomime paved with gold! Join Dick Whittington as he seeks fame, fortune, and happiness journeying to become Lord Mayor.
12 December 2025 to 10 January 2026
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Christmas Lights Switch On
Exeter's Christmas lights will shine brighter than ever with dazzling new displays set to illuminate the city and bring festive magic to the winter nights.
From 14th November -
Cathedral Christmas Market
The wonderfully atmospheric Cathedral Christmas Market returns with a labyrinth of winding lanes, festooned with fairy lights and laced with the seasonal sights and smells of over 100 festive chalets, plus a new area in the Cloister Garden hosting independent traders.
20th November to 19th December -
Cathedral Events
Throughout the festive season the Cathedral plays host to a wonderful array of performances including popular carol services, Christmas by Candlelight and The Exeter Nativity. Entry to the Cathedral is by donation during this period.
Throughout December -
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland returns to Northernhay Gardens with a covered, real ice rink open daily, Santa's Grotto, Light Trail, vintage carousel, fairground rides, street food, and festive stalls.
21st November to 28th December -
Magdalen Road Christmas Fair
The much-loved Magdalen Road Christmas Fair returns with its cosy community atmosphere, showcasing local traders, artisan gifts, delicious food, and live music - the perfect place to shop local and soak up the Christmas cheer.
6th December -
Christmas on the Quay
Down by the water, Christmas on the Quay brings a magical maritime twist, with twinkling lights, festive stalls, and entertainment creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.
21st December -
Santa Run
Exeter City Community Trust's Santa Run sees hundreds of Santas running through the city streets, raising money for local charities.
7th December -
Festive Pantomimes
The festive fun continues in theatre land with show-stopping pantomimes to keep the whole family entertained. The Wizard of Oz, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella will all be casting a magical spell over Exeter audiences.
Throughout December
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The Illumination Trail
This year's Bay of Lights Illumination Trail has more installations than ever before and includes an LED light fountain, 1,000 colour changing hand placed flowers, pixel pads and a giant walk-through Christmas present. The 1.5-mile accessible trail will have 18 large light installations, offering stunning digital light shows, Christmas music, interactive fun and memory making photographic opportunities.
Throughout December -
Torquay Ice Rink - NEW FOR 2025
For the first time in years, the English Riviera will welcome a real ice rink, bringing a dazzling new dimension to the Bay of Lights festivities! Nestled in the heart of Abbey Park, this sparkling 39m x 12m rink invites residents and visitors of all ages to glide across the ice in a truly magical setting.
6 December 2025 to 2 January 2026 -
Christmas Market at Torre Abbey
This year, the wonderful Torquay Christmas Market returns to the grounds of the historic Torre Abbey. The market creates the perfect space for visitors to do some Christmas shopping or to start or end The Illumination Trail with plenty of food traders serving delicious food.
Throughout December -
Torre Abbey Alive with Light
Torre Abbey will once again host the special show "Alive with Light." Through an innovative projection on the building, the abbey will be transformed into a breathtaking blend of light, history, and festive joy.
Throughout December -
Train of Lights
The vintage Steam Train carriages await you - decorated with thousands of lights, both inside and out! This multi-award-winning event sells out each year, so we advise getting your tickets early for a train journey you'll remember forever.
Various dates in December -
Lanterns Lights and 'Lluminations in Brixham
Every year, Brixham comes alight with Lanterns, Lights and 'Lluminations! The event includes a magical lantern parade, an incredible firework display held in the Harbour Bowl, live music, street entertainment, and a street market.
Various dates in December -
Santa in the Caves at Kents Cavern
The popular "Santa in the Caves" returns with a new story and even more illuminations. An interactive pantomime guided by festive-themed actors, you'll go on a quest through the caves and meet the man himself.
Various dates in December -
Babbacombe Model Village Christmas Illuminations
The Babbacombe Model Village Christmas Illuminations is the perfect family day out this winter. Enjoy some delightful miniature seasonal scenes as the little folk celebrate Christmas.
Throughout December
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Barnstaple Festive Fun Evening
Barnstaple will be getting spirited with their festive fun evening taking over the Pannier Market. Featuring the first night of late night shopping and the Christmas lights switch-on. Santa's Grotto will also be open in Green Lanes for the little ones to meet the big man himself.
28th November -
Bideford Christmas Market
Bideford is always a town to count on when it comes to getting into the Christmas spirit. The festivities kick off with the Bideford Christmas Market at Affinity Devon, showcasing approximately 100 stalls with the very best local arts and crafts.
30th November -
Westward Ho! Christmas Events
Westward Ho! takes the Christmas season seriously with their third annual lights switch-on and the whole village is invited to get into the spirit of things with food, music, and the incredible Christmas Conga. On the 23rd of December, Westward Ho! Ho! Ho! offers a day of family celebration on the village green.
7th & 23rd December -
Appledore and Instow Events
Johns of Instow hosts a festive food and gift extravaganza featuring free samples of local and premium producers. Across the water at Appledore, their Christmas lights switch-on will be accompanied by a visit from Santa, carol singing on the quay, and plenty more festivities.
1st & 6th December -
Ilfracombe Combe Christmas
Combe Christmas is back for another year in Ilfracombe, spanning over three days with something for everyone. The event includes North Devon's biggest Christmas lights switch-on, an artisan Christmas Market, and a Combe Community Day with live music, food stalls, and entertainment for kids.
29th Nov - 1st Dec -
Woolacombe Christmas Events
The Red Barn in Woolacombe holds their Beer, Cider & Music Festival featuring plenty of drinks, live music and a village disco. This ties in perfectly with Woolacombe at Christmas where the whole village gets festive with carol singing, a treasure hunt, and involvement from local businesses.
6th - 8th December -
Braunton North Devon Christmas Market
The North Devon Christmas Market returns to Braunton, quickly becoming the largest and best known market in the area. The event is expected to once again pack out the village centre with over 150 traders and stalls stocking bespoke Christmas gifts, beautiful crafts and plenty of tasty eats.
7th December -
Lynton & Lynmouth Festivities
Expect plenty of festivities from these two twinned villages. Light Up Lynton takes place in the town hall with the Christmas lights being switched on and Santa showing up. Lynton's late night Christmas shopping event supports local shops with festive food and music. Lynmouth in Lights follows with a festive Christmas market featuring Santa's Grotto and children's activities.
1st, 7th & 14th December -
Torrington Christmas Events
Dartington Crystal holds an extra special Father Christmas weekend with Santa waiting to meet the kids in his Frozen themed grotto, creative Christmas activities, live music and indulgent food. Meanwhile, Rosemoor Gardens hosts their Magic of Christmas Food & Craft Fair with goods from the best artisan traders from around the South West.
7th-8th & 14th-15th December -
Clovelly & Hartland Christmas
Clovelly's Christmas lights switch-on is always a magical day with a brass band procession, carols sung along the way, warm food, festive refreshments, an appearance from Santa, and a mesmerising firework display. Santa will also be setting up shop at The Milky Way with his Grotto and Buzzlewick's Elf Emporium returning for another jam-packed year.
1st December onwards -
South Molton Winter Wonderland
South Molton Winter Wonderland takes place with the Pannier Market brimming with traders selling seasonal gifts and produce, while some of the shops in South Molton's centre will be open late. Other entertainment, including fairground rides, will be on offer.
29th November
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Totnes Christmas Market and Late Night Shopping
Make magical memories for Christmas 2025 at the Totnes Christmas Market and Late Night Shopping events. The whole town will be getting into the festive spirit with entertainment, good food and drink, artisan shopping and much more. The town will also be aglow with beautiful lanterns for the spectacular Totnes Carnival Lantern Parade.
Tuesdays 2, 9, 16 December -
Exmouth Indoor Christmas Market
A free-to-attend Christmas Market where 80+ stalls are undercover, offering not the usual generic items of larger markets, but independent and hand-selected businesses showcasing crafted goods and something 'that little bit different'. With the market situated in the town centre, it is perfect for access and features a dedicated bar - 'The Jingle Inn'.
13th - 17th December -
Newton Abbot Christmas Fayre
Kick off the holiday season in style at the Newton Abbot Christmas Fayre. This festive event promises a day full of holiday cheer and delightful experiences for the entire family. Explore a wide range of unique gifts and crafts from 70 local stallholders. Step into a winter wonderland with an enchanting Christmas village featuring 60 stables each housing a unique crafter or gift seller.
29th November
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